The Villages Gourmet Club Recipe

Cowboy Creamy Chicken/Spinach/Mushroom Bake
by K.R. Reynolds
As demonstrated at the 3/29/26 Gourmet Club Meeting

Serves: 4 people. Preparation time: 55 minutes.

4 Boneless Skinless, Chicken Breasts

1 C. Heavy Cream

½ C. Cream Cheese (Softened)

1 C. Mozzarella Cheese (Shredded)

½ C. Parmesan Cheese (Grated)

2 C. Fresh Spinach (Chopped)

1 C. Mushrooms (Sliced)

3 Cloves of Garlic (Minced)

1 t. Paprika

½ t. Dried Thyme

1 t. Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper (to taste)

1 T. Bacon Bits (optional)

• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a baking dish.

• Heat the Olive Oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the Mushrooms and Garlic until softened. Add the Spinach and cook until wilted.

• In a bowl, mix the Heavy Cream, 3 Cheeses, Paprika, Thyme and Salt & Pepper (to taste).

• Place the Chicken Breasts in the greased baking dish. Spread the Spinach/Mushroom mix over the Chicken. Cover the Cream & Cheese mixture over the top, covering evenly. [For a smoky taste, sprinkle some Bacon Bits on top.] Bake for 35-45 minutes, until the Chicken is cooked through and bubbly golden brown on top. Makes 4 servings.

Garlic - It's calledThe Stinking Rose in many parts of the world. It's an underground eatible bulb [Allium Sativum] and related to the Shallot, Leek, Chive and many types of Onions around the world. It's been cultivated for at least 4,000 years. A phytochemical effect happens when the plant's cells are broken. The cell is broken by chopping or crushing cell vacuoles, triggering the breakdown of several sulfur-containing compounds resulting in a sharp or hot taste and strong, well-known, odor. Garlic plays a big part in folk medicine and warding off vampires and demons. Gilroy, California, in the central valley, due east of Santa Cruz, calls itself the "Garlic Capital of the World". However, 73% of the world's cultivation of Garlic is in China, not California.